Why? There’s big photographic potential to be found in the smallest of objects. Prepare to get closer than ever before during this week with instructor and macro shooter Tony Rizzuto. From a local floral nursery to the side streets of Missoula and Garnet Ghost Town, you go on the hunt for beauty with your macro lens in natural and man-made landscapes. In the studio, learn to control color and composition while enjoying the precision and command available with artificial lights and a controlled environment.

What? There’s no end to the potential subjects for macro photography. Rusty nails in a barn, colorful flowers in a vase, or fresh fruit at a farmers market are all works of art waiting for you to photograph them. Rizzuto brings his trademark blend of knowledge, humor, and ability to convey concepts to every level of photographer. Classroom lectures introduce you to creative macro composition techniques, methods for adding subtle light to a scene, and specific equipment for macro photography, including extension tubes, close up filters, and focusing rails. You then apply these skills and techniques during location-based field shoots. Rizzuto is available during shoots for refreshers or top-to-bottom assistance creating the photograph you see in your mind’s eye. Back in the classroom, constructive group critiques allow you to see the creations of your classmates and benefit from Tony’s well-trained eye.

Who? Intermediate level photographers comfortable with the manual exposure operation of their camera.

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Student Testimonials

“ The student/teacher ratio in these workshops is so small the instructors are able to get to know you and your photography goals and skill level. Even though people’s goals are completely different they are still able to assist everyone. ”

Hotels

Missoula has numerous hotels from which to choose with varying accommodations at different price ranges and locations. There are many other hotels in Missoula to choose from; however, the two hotels listed below extend a special discounted rate to Rocky Mountain School of Photography students.

Additional Information

The Holiday Inn at the Park is a full-service hotel located just 2 blocks from RMSP and has extended a special discounted rate to RMSP students. To receive the discounted rate, contact the hotel directly and let them know you are with Rocky Mountain School of Photography.

Additional Information

The Staybridge Suites Missoula is located approximately 5 miles from RMSP. The hotel offers a complimentary hot breakfast and suites with fully equipped kitchens. Reservations made online will not receive the special rate so please call the phone number above and let them know you are a student of Rocky Mountain School of Photography.

Parking

Parking downtown is metered Monday-Friday. There is a convenient parking garage, Central Park, located less than one block west of the school at 128 West Main Street (www.ci.missoula.mt.us/parking). Parking downtown on Saturdays and Sundays is free.

Free parking is available at Holiday Inn Downtown at the Park for participants staying at the hotel.

Missoula’s locally-owned Dollar Rent A Car franchise offers a special discounted rate to Rocky Mountain School of Photography students. To take advantage of this rate, contact them directly and mention you that are an RMSP student.

Travel During Workshop

You are responsible for your own transportation during the workshop. For transportation to and from field shoots, we suggest that you carpool to get to know fellow students. Your final email will include a car share list of interested participants.

Meals

You are responsible for your own meals during the workshop. Your instructor will allow plenty of breaks in the schedule. There are many convenient and affordable options for breakfast, lunch and dinner within walking distance of RMSP.

Fees

Any additional fees and/or supplies will be the responsibility of the participant.

Resources

Tony Rizzuto has been a photographer for 14 years. Although his interests and photographic subjects are diverse, teaching is his primary passion. Tony is a 2001 Summer Intensive graduate and has spent the last nine years as the owner and head photographer at Sandbox Studios in Missoula, Montana, where he caters to both corporate and private clients. Prior to focusing exclusively on his portrait studio and teaching, Tony served as the Curriculum Director at Rocky Mountain School of Photography. His work has been featured on the cover of Rocky Mountain Child and in the pages of Three Rivers Lifestyle magazine and the Missoulian. He brings the same relaxed and humorous approach to both the classroom and the studio.

Please refer to current listings for the latest weather in this area. www.weather.com is a good source for weather reports.

We suggest you bring the following with you on this workshop:Sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots Light to medium jacket Sun protection – hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm Travel alarm clock and/or a watch Water bottle Snacks for between meals in the field

Laptop Information

Digital SLR users must be able to:

Download and store your images on your laptop

View your images after downloading them

Select and transfer specific images for daily critiques using one of the following:

Empty Compact Flash/SD card

Jump Drive

Portable Hard Drive

All students must supply their own laptop computer with the following specifications:

RAM (Memory) – Minimum of 4 GBs.

Free Hard Drive Space – We recommend that you have at least 60-70 GBs of free space on your laptop’s built-in hard drive if you plan to store photos on your computer.

FAQ

What is the 2015 workshops schedule?

Which workshop is right for me?

Foundation Workshops require varying levels of previous photographic experience. Beginners should start with Basic Photography. Travel workshops require that you are familiar with the manual operation of your camera. If you are uncertain about where you should begin, please call and we will be happy to help you decide what class is right for you.

What is the cutoff date for registration?

We accept registrations on a first-come first-served basis until a workshop is full. Register early! If your favorite workshop is full ask to be put on a wait list.

How do I register?

Register online

Call the RMSP offices at (800) 394-7677

How many participants are in a workshop?

Depending on the workshop there can be a maximum of 14, 16 or 20 students. Generally we add an assistant when registration exceeds 8 students.

What is a "Friend of RMSP"?

Once you’ve taken an RMSP course you become a "Friend" and are able to deduct $50.00 off workshop tuition.

Explain Foundation and Travel workshops?

Foundation Workshops are designed with a stair-step approach that teaches you to think, see and create with your camera. Travel workshops take you to a beautiful location with an instructor who knows the area and the light and how to get you to the perfect shooting spot.

What is included in the tuition?

Most workshop tuitions include the instruction only. Hotel stays generally are not included. Selected hotels, most of which have special RMSP rates, are noted in the accommodations section of each workshop. Transportation is included on selected workshops. Additional charges such as entrance fees/admissions to national parks and select shooting venues are extra.

How do we pay for a workshop?

Most workshops require a $300.00 deposit and the balance paid 60 days prior to the start of the workshop. Payment options include personal checks, cash and Mastercard, Visa, and American Express.

What is RMSP’s cancellation policy?

Please read our cancellation policy.Note: Workshop content may change from that advertised based on weather, access to shooting locations, and other unforeseen situations. Whenever possible, registered students will be notified ahead of time of any changes. RMSP reserves the right to cancel any program that does not meet minimum participant requirements, in which case participants will be informed as soon as possible and all money will be refunded. RMSP is not responsible for any losses incurred as a result of a course cancellation. We encourage participants to purchase refundable
airline tickets and consider purchasing trip cancellation insurance.

Travel Insurance

RMSP recommends that you purchase travel insurance to protect yourself from circumstances that may prevent you from attending a workshop. Please check with your insurance agent about this low-cost service. RMSP is not responsible for cancellations due to medical emergencies or reimbursement of non-refundable airline tickets in the event of a workshop cancellation.

Other Logisitics

Hotels

Blocks of rooms are reserved on most workshops. Unless otherwise specified workshop participants make their own reservations for accommodations.

Travel

On most workshops travel is the responsibility of the workshop participant. RMSP provides a car-share list as part of the workshop e-correspondence. Participants usually get together on the first day and make arrangements to share car rides for field shoots. We encourage carpooling for the sake of camaraderie and also to reduce the impact on our environment.

Meals

You will be given breaks during the workshop to purchase and enjoy meals, however in some locations meals take a second place to shooting at the right light. It’s always a good idea to include snacks for those moments when a regular meal is not available.

Free Time

RMSP wants to make sure you get what you want, need and expect from a workshop. Expect to be busy from morning until evening every day. If you’re coming to an outdoor workshop remember that sunrises and sunsets will be part of the shooting schedule!

Spouse / Partners

On most RMSP workshops non-photographing spouses/partners are welcome to come to shooting locations and some critiques. Lectures and any other learning sessions are not open to guests. Please call our office for the guidelines for your specific workshop.

Equipment

What should I bring?

Each workshop has a list of suggested equipment which will be sent in an email approximately 90 days before the workshop begins. If you have questions about a specific workshop please give our office a call.

Computers

All participants should bring a laptop computer for downloading, sorting, viewing and selecting images for daily critiques. Computer specifics are included in the equipment lists for each workshop. Digital lab workshops held in Missoula may have a limited number of desktop computers available for use. Please call our office if you need to reserve a computer.Please feel free to contact us either by phone or email with any further questions you may have. We look forward to welcoming you to an RMSP Workshop!

Cancellation Policy

Note: Workshop content may change from that advertised based on weather, access to shooting locations, and other unforeseen situations. Whenever possible, registered students will be notified ahead of time of any changes. RMSP reserves the right to cancel any program that does not meet minimum participant requirements, in which case participants will be informed as soon as possible and all money will be refunded. RMSP is not responsible for any losses incurred as a result of a course cancellation. We encourage participants to purchase refundable airline tickets and consider purchasing trip cancellation insurance.

Cancellation Policy for Workshops

For cancellations received at least 60 days prior to the workshop start date: RMSP refunds any tuition paid, less a $50 processing fee.

For cancellations received 30 to 60 days prior to the start of the workshop: RMSP refunds any tuition paid less the tuition deposit.

For cancellations received within 30 days prior to the start of the workshop: RMSP retains full tuition.

For cancellations after the workshop is in progress: RMSP retains full tuition.

For no-shows: RMSP retains full tuition.

Refunds will be processed within 30 days after our office receives notice of cancellation.